Records

Rip It Up, Issue 76, 1 November 1983, Page 20

Records

George Kay

The Motels Little Robbers Capitol At last, the Motels have made it in their own country. But at what cost? This is going to sound churlish, just another critical backlash. But this album sounds like a pallid rehash of past triumphs, and nothing will change that. Only three tracks out of 10 come even close to what this band has achieved in the past. 'Suddenly Last Summer' is another typical Motels ballad, beautifully understated, and a surefire radio hit (as it already is). Martha can handle this sort of song in her sleep. The same goes for 'Where Do We Go From Here', a straightforward rocker which opens the album, and probably takes the place of 'Mission Of Mercy' on stage as a crowd warmerupper. 'Tables Turned' has that typical wistful approach that is a large part of Martha’s appeal. In the second division is Trust Me' a boogie piece that reflects Martha's continuing insecurity about her personal life. From there, it's a big slide downwards. Americans should not try to play reggae, they only end up making asses of themselves. The Motels try it twice, with 'lsle Of You' and 'Footsteps'. They fail. 'lnto The Heartland' is a straight steal from Springsteen and 'Monday Shutdown' is another unnecessary reminder of how boring work is. It's disappointing to hear something as routine as this from a

band which really changed the image of LA music. I haven't so far mentioned the title track because it's one of the most banal songs Martha has ever written. To draw attention to it in such a way was a very silly move. So is the colour scheme on the sleeve. Duncan Campbell Various Artists Godzone Metal Vol 1 NZ Metal Production Co. An unforgivable mistake when 1 first listened to this album 1 kept the volume down. First impressions? Not too good. But never say die stuff the speakers and let the volume rip. On Side One Rose Bayonet has two songs, 'Demon Rider' and 'Let It Die'. Both were recorded at their last Wellington gig. For those who saw them at Quinns Post on Jan 15, 16 these two tracks are a nostalgic must. . ; Following RB are three songs from Harlot 'Schoolgirls', ‘Another Day' and 'Dancing (Or. My Mothers Grave)'. It gives an indication of what the band is like even though vocals are lost in a few places. Side Two features Tyrants, 'Surprise', 'Bedroom Secrets' and 'Nowhere To Run'. Again some vocals are lost though the energy of their performance is captured. Astaroth brings up the rear with '1066', 'Demon Dance' and 'Astaroth'. Technically not a brilliant live album but finally someone has put NZ HM down on vinyl. Mark Javins XTC Mummer Virgin Let's start this one with an English lesson. According to the

Concise Oxford a mummer is a play actor in a folk play. A curious title but not all that surprising if you've followed the rise of Andy Partridge and XTC. To stretch the point their last two albums, Black Sea and English Settlement, have been like one act plays on English life with Partridge cast as the roving social commentator. Mummer, sadly, continues the weary pastoralism of English Settlement. The band's development and renunciation of the fidgety impulses that characterised their first three albums has resulted in Partridge adopting a more sombre musical stance that leaves room for only flashes of melodic flair and animated arrangements. Beating of Hearts', Deliver Us From Great Fire', 'Human Alchemy' artd Me and the Wind' all fit into this category and they provide the tired heart of the album.

Moulding; as usual, . plays McCartney to Partridge's Lennon with a trio of sweeter tunes, 'Wonderland' being particularly attractive. But his songs are only diversions and therefore can't rescue an album doomed by a lack of vitality. In a recent NME Consumers' Guide Partridge's final comment implied that his fifteen minutes were up. There's scant evidence on Mummer to contradict that assumption.